Colorado School of Mines’ prototype trialed by Abu Dhabi institute in refinery context.

The Colorado School of Mines (CSM) has
developed ‘Blaster,’ a robot designed to operate in hazardous areas and
situations such as those arising in oil and gas plants. The prototype
system is being trialled by the Petroleum Institute of Abu Dhabi to
increase safety in oil and gas refineries

According to CSM professor John Steele,
refinery operators are currently exposed to potential explosions, gas
leaks and extreme weather conditions. ‘We are trying to get robots to
do the same operations humans can do, but by taking the human out of
harm’s way, we are increasing safety.’

The CSM has entered France’s ‘Argos’ challenge.
Argos, a.k.a. the Autonomous Robot for Gas & Oil Sites sets out
to encourage the development of robotic systems for use in extreme
conditions of cold and heat and hazardous environments where they can
reduce workers’ exposure to risk.

Argos has backing from Total and the French
National Research Agency (ANR). The plan is to ‘attract the attention
of actors across the robotics world to the difficulties encountered by
the oil gas industry [and to] pool competencies to produce the robots
of tomorrow.’

Winners of the initial challenge will have two
and half years to further develop their technology. Robots should be to
be able to ‘accomplish repetitive tasks and respond in an emergency.’
More from CSM and from Argos.